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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Industry Profile

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Alberta is a world leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning research and development.

In recent years, Alberta’s AI ecosystem has seen an incredible upswing in growth with the attraction of various research labs and an increased number of AI startups. Alberta is home to 1 of 3 Canadian AI hubs, which includes numerous artificial intelligence startups, research labs/institutes, accelerators/incubators, and investor organizations.

Alberta's Strengths

Google DeepMind

In 2017, Google DeepMind, a world leader in artificial intelligence research owned by Alphabet Inc., opened its first-ever international AI research office in Alberta.

DeepMind is best known for developing AlphaGo, software that has beaten the world’s best players at the strategy game Go.

Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii)

The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), affiliated with the University of Alberta, is ranked in the top five in the world for artificial intelligence and machine learning (source: CSRankings Computer Science Rankings).

A number of companies including Google Brain, Google Research, Microsoft Research, IBM Research, and Volkswagen Data Lab conduct collaborative research through Amii.

The Royal Bank of Canada and Mitsubishi Electric have also opened new research labs in Alberta in order to partner with research institutes such as Amii.

Alberta is home to a number of world-class researchers in artificial intelligence including Amii fellow Dr. Richard S. Sutton (http://incompleteideas.net/), the pioneer of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and author of the textbook Deep Reinforcement Learning.

Strong Post-Secondary and Research Capabilities

Along with Amii, advanced research and development in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning is also conducted at the University of Calgary across a number of sectors.

The University of Calgary developed MyHEAT, which uses urban thermal remote sensing technology to detect heat loss in homes and won the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) grant prize for global climate change solutions.

Demonstrated Government Support

Alberta is part of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a $125 million strategy funded by the Government of Canada to advance and grow Canada’s AI ecosystem.

In the last 15 years, Alberta has invested over $40 million towards artificial intelligence and machine learning within the province (source: Alberta Advanced Education).

AITC is a tax credit for encouraging investment in non-traditional sectors with strong job-creation potential.

Alberta Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Credit Program - https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program.html

A tax credit for businesses conducting R&D leading to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes.

ERP provides access for startups and growing companies to workspace, programs, and research communities. They also make land available to companies building research facilities in biotechnology, nanotechnology, clean energy and oil and gas support.

Startup Edmonton - http://www.startupedmonton.com/

Startup Edmonton supports local entrepreneurs through the provision of mentorship, programs, co-working space and community events.

Startup Calgary - https://www.startupcalgary.ca/

Startup Calgary provides a variety of events and programs for entrepreneurs in the startup phase.